Spreading the word on inclusive cycling

Inclusive cycling aims to give anyone the opportunity to cycle, no matter their limitations. This weekend we were in Green Park as part of Ride London, giving people the chance to see and try what different styles of cycles there are on the market.

Two youngsters enjoying the handbike at Prudential RideLondon 2014

Ride London took place this past weekend and CTCwas in the Green Park festival area along with partner Cycling Projects and bike supplier Quest 88 to promote awareness of inclusive cycling. More than 650 people visited us at our Inclusive Cycling bike try-out area.

Over the seven hours of Saturday's festivities people were able to try out any or all of nearly a dozen variations and adaptations that have been created specifically to empower and aid people with different abilities. For many, it was the first time they’d ever seen our adapted cycles.

“Amazing machine. Fantastic that such a thing exists. I’d love to be able to take my granny on it.

Suzie Douglas, South Buckinghamshire

People tend to think of a bike as a two-wheeled, single person, human powered vehicle, however, there is quite a scope to what is available. Inclusive cycling centres equipped with these speciality cycles, such as hand cycles, tricycles, and quad-cycles, can help enable those who have impairments to enjoy cycling.

CTC believes everyone should have the opportunity to share the joy of the cycling experience should they want to, regardless of their own limitations.

We raised more than£200 in donations at the Inclusive Cycling event, which will go towards creating more Inclusive Cycling opportunities across the UK.

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Comments

You obviously didn't try to take part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.

For some strange reason handcycles, or at least hand-cranked bicycles, weren't allowed to take part. The ban also encompassed recumbent bicycles, apparently on safety grounds and I assume this also covered hand-cranked recumbent tricycles that many disabled cyclists use.
I regularly ride organised sportives on my recumbent handcycle and have always been warmly welcomed by the organisers so it is somewhat strange to find some disabled cyclists excluded from a major part of this event especially when British Cycling is a partner and CTC also actively promotes the event.
There was a short 15 mile race for handcyclists on the Sunday morning and there is a suggestion that the organisers might allow a few recumbent bicycles on the 100 mile ride next year but I do feel that CTC and British Cycling should apply pressure to make more of the events properly inclusive.